HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WAFF ) - Alabama’s infant mortality rate improved in 2024 but remained higher than the national average.

The Alabama Department of Public Health released new statistics Thursday showing Alabama’s rate at 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Statewide, 414 infants died within the first year of live out of the nearly 58,000 live births.

The national infant mortality rate came in at 5.5 per 1,000 live births.

The newly released infant mortality statistics show Jackson County with North Alabama’s lowest rate at just 1.8 while Dekalb County was 8.8 for the highest North Alabama rate.

“Many factors contribute to infant mortality, including race, poverty, education, housing, nutrition, and access to care,” said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “Racial disparities rema

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